This Meatball Sub recipe effortlessly comes together in the crockpot for a flavorful, saucy, cheesy sandwich dinner that the whole family will love!
If you like this recipe, I think you'll also love Chicken Parmesan Meatball Subs!
Hope y'all aren't tired of crockpot recipes yet, because I've got another slow cooker sensation to share with you today...Meatball Subs!
This week is going to be a busy one around these parts. Our baby girl is turning one on Thursday, so on top of our usual hectic schedule, I'll be in full party planning mode for the next few days.
ONE. I can hardly believe it. The past year has flown by. And to be perfectly honest, I'm already feeling like a big, sentimental sap at the thought of my baby no longer qualifying as a baby. Our family has been so blessed to have had this sweet little angel in our lives for almost a whole year now, and to say that we all adore her would be the understatement of the decade. Her big brothers absolutely dote on her, she has her daddy utterly and indescribably wrapped around her chubby little finger, and I think my sweet, ever-present companion is pretty much perfect. I just can't believe that her baby days are already about to be behind us...slow down, time!
However, instead of talking about what a sappy mushball I am, let's focus on meatballs, shall we? With a big, pink birthday party to prepare for this week, I won't have much time to devote to making dinners. But that doesn't mean I want to fall back on take-out. Instead, my trusty crockpot will be earning its keep once again with this yummy Meatball Sub Recipe!
This recipe is always a hit with every member of my family, from small to tall. After all, who doesn't love a good Meatball Sub? And this version is truly effortless.
Just mix Italian breadcrumbs and a few other ingredients into a pound of ground beef, form your mixture into meatballs, toss them in the slow cooker with whatever pasta sauce you have handy (homemade or jarred sauce both work great), and forget about it for the rest of the day. When it's time for dinner, you'll have juicy meatballs and savory sauce to pile on rolls and top with gooey, melted cheese. A simple veggie and/or side salad round out this quick meal and dinner is served!
It's doesn't get any easier -- or tastier -- than that, folks. I hope this Meatball Sub recipe becomes a regular, popular part of your dinner rotation during those busy weeks that I know you have as well!
And one last thing...please send some positive vibes to me come Thursday, that I don't find myself crying sentimental tears in a sweet little someone's first ever cupcake. 😉
More Easy Sandwiches for Supper
- Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich Au Jus
- The BEST Sloppy Joes
- Slow Cooker Honey Balsamic Shredded Beef Sandwiches
- Sonoma Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Meatball Sub Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
- teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 (24-ounce) jar pasta sauce, OR 3 cups homemade pasta sauce
- 4 submarine/hoagie/Italian rolls (about 6 inches long each), toasted (if desired)
- 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
- Grated Parmesan cheese, optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine ground beef with egg, bread crumbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix with hands or a large spoon until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form mixture into 12 meatballs, taking care not to make them too compact. Place meatballs in the bottom of slow cooker. Pour pasta sauce over meatballs, making sure that each one is completely covered.
- Cook on LOW for 6 hours or until the meatballs are cooked through. (Check sooner if your slow cooker runs hot, in which case the meatballs may cook faster and the sauce may start to darken around the edges.)
- To serve, halve each roll lengthwise, toast if desired, and place 3 meatballs inside. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. The hot meatballs should cause the cheese to melt, but if not, you may place sandwiches under the oven broiler for a minute to melt cheese completely. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if using, and serve hot.
Notes
Adapted from Rival Crock Pot: 3 Books in 1
Mariel
That look delish! Blogs and pinterest will get me fat! YUM! haha
-Mariel
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Ha, Mariel...that made me laugh! The good news is that the mere acts of blog reading and Pinterest pinning are still safe...I'd be in real trouble if calories were involved in those! ๐ Thanks for stopping by and commenting...have a great Sunday!
Allison @ The Golden Sycamore
These look so good and sound super easy to make! Definitely pinning for later! Thanks for sharing! ๐
Samantha at Five Heart Home
They are definitely easy, Allison! I hope you enjoy them. Thanks so much for the comment and the pin!
Suburbsmama
WOW! That looks amazing! If You get a chance, please link up to the Suburbsmama Sunday Linky Party.
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Thanks, Rita...I just linked up! ๐
Hold the Office
I had no idea you could do meatballs in the crockpot. What a great idea!
Nicole @ HoldtheOffice.com
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Thanks, Nicole! I was really excited, too, when I figured out that homemade meatballs work in the crock pot. ๐ Hope you've had a chance to enjoy this one (and I apologize for my delayed reply...just found your comment going through some old e-mails)! Have a great weekend... ๐
Tiffany
Those look good! I love my slow cooker, it feels like someone else did all the work:)
Samantha at Five Heart Home
I love my slow cooker for the same reason, Tiffany! It's so worth the few minutes it takes in the morning to have dinner ready to go by the evening!
Andi
Happy birthday little girl! She'll be in the kitchen helping prepare food before you know......time goes so fast. My baby is getting married this week and is 31 yrs old..........Where did all the time go. Your dinner looks so tasty. Love easy and tasty meals like Meatball subs.................Andi
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Thank you, Andi! Hope you enjoy the recipe. And congratulations on your daughter's wedding this week!!! Time really does fly...it makes me happy to watch my kids grow and change but sad at how quickly it all goes by!
Easy Life Meal & Party Planning
They look delicious! My daughter makes these during football season and the men love them. Ironically I have never gotten her recipe so now I have one! stopping by from the Wednesday Extravaganza to follow. Love your blog.
Terri Henkels
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Thanks so much for the kind words, Terri! I'm sure your daughter's recipe is delicious...I hope you enjoy this version, too! ๐ Hopping over to check out your site now. I appreciate you stopping by!
Emily from Reaching Beyond My Reach
These sound so tasty! And in the crockpot to boot! Love it! Thank you for sharing!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Thanks, Emily! Crock pot recipes make me so happy. ๐ Hope you enjoy this one!
Abby @ Just a Girl and Her Blog
Aw! Happy Birthday, baby girl! They grow too fast, don't they?! These meatball subs look scrumptious. Pinning so I can put my crock pot to work! Enjoy celebrating your little girl's special day tomorrow!
~Abby =)
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Thank you so much, Abby. I can't believe she's already 1...they really do grow way too fast! Hope you enjoy these subs. I appreciate your sweet comment and the pin!
By the way, your new blog theme looks fantastic...I've seen it from my phone but I can't wait to explore it soon on my laptop! Hope you're having a great week... ๐
Heather @ French Press
oh my goodness,my kids LOVE meatball subs, I had no idea you could do it in a slow cooker...LOVE this idea
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Thanks, Heather! I've gotten spoiled making these in the slow cooker...it's the way to go if you're short on time!
Shannah @ Just Us Four
This looks so delicious. I love cooking meatballs in the crockpot for subs when we have football parties!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Thanks, Shannah! Aren't crock pots fantastic?! I've only ever made this as a meal for my family, but what a great idea to do a big batch of meatballs for party sandwiches! Thanks for the comment... ๐
Melanie @ Just Some Salt and Pepper
This looks really good! Happy birthday to your little girl!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Thank you, Melanie...I hope you enjoy the recipe and I really appreciate your birthday wishes! ๐
Erin
Stopping by from Two Cup Tuesday and wanted to check out these fabulous looking Meatball Subs. Our family has football practice a few nights a week now, so Slow Cooker meals are essential. Thanks for the great meal idea!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
You're so welcome, Erin...I'm glad you stopped by! I think this would be a perfect meal for a football practice night. And I'm with you...I don't know what I would do without my slow cooker this time of year!
[email protected] Cooking with Curls
Those look delicious! I never think to make meatball sandwiches, and I have no idea why? ๐ They look so simple, I need to give them a try!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Thank you, Lisa! They are so yummy and SO simple...I hope you enjoy them if you end up trying them! Have a great night... ๐
Carrie This Home
This looks awesome! I love finding new dinner ideas and this looks easy and delicious. I'm visiting from Give Me The Goods Monday & pinning this now!
Happy birthday to your little one! I know what you mean about your baby growing up. My son is turning 2 in December (which is great) but I don't like the fact that he's not a baby anymore! Looks like we'll have to have a mommy pity party!
Samantha at Five Heart Home
Thanks so much, Carrie, for the pin and the mama commiseration! I realize how blessed I am to have healthy kiddos, but the baby days are so sweet that it's hard to watch them fly by so quickly. But I know that the next stage will be just as fun... ๐ I really appreciate you stopping by!